A Day Late

Yesterday was my dad’s birthday. I had every intention of writing this post then, but I found that it was just too difficult. It would have been his 72nd birthday. He was young by today’s standards. I can remember going up to Michigan to celebrate his 70th birthday and thinking that it was amazing that he had made it that far. Now, I wish that he would have made it farther.

I often joked with my mom that he was a cyborg; I thought that he would never pass away. Throughout the years of abuse that he put his body through, there were plenty of times that he put himself in harm’s way. But my dad was a fighter. And he fought right down to the end.

Yesterday was a difficult day. I should have been spending the day with him. His daycare center, Uncle Norm’s Place, would have had a party for him which I’m told would have included cake. He would have loved that. Then, Stephen, Liam and I would have gone over to my parents’ house for dinner followed by more cake. Instead, the day was spent at home with my family. We had a quiet dinner with my mom. It was not how I had ever imagined spending my dad’s birthday.

I know that in the coming years his birthday will become less grueling, and this just the first of many holidays to come this year. I hope wherever he is that he had a wonderful birthday.

*As a side note, I know some of you were at the memorial service that was held last weekend. I’ve included the video that was shown. I hope you enjoy seeing some of the pictures from my dad’s life.*